Silver Linings Read Online Free Page A
Author: Debbie Macomber
and I’ll sit here for a few minutes and sort through my thoughts.”
“Promise you won’t even think of backing out.”
“Promise.”
Coco got out and headed upstairs. Katie stretched in her seat; the cool air was fresh and clean, and she breathed it in. It really was a lovely afternoon. The reunion committee couldn’t have asked for better weather for this get-together. It was as if they knew exactly which dates to book.
This weekend had the potential to be life-changing, as uncomfortable and awkward as it was. She could hardly believe that the last time she’d seen James was the summer after their graduation.
In all her life no one had ever loved Katie as much as James Harper had. He’d been willing to sacrifice everything for her. As much as she had loved him in return, Katie couldn’t allow that. If he’d given up college for her, it would have forever tainted their relationship. Closing her eyes, she leaned her head back and forced herself to think positive thoughts.
Because she wanted it so badly, she pictured seeing James at the reunion and his reaction once he saw her. She couldn’t help wondering if he’d changed. She had. Not physically so much—the years had matured her, shaped her, and she assumed they had him as well. She wondered if he knew she’d gone into social work, helping young teens. He’d been the one to suggest she’d be good in that line of work. Was it possible that he remembered saying that to her all those years ago? She hoped he did.
The car door opened, momentarily startling Katie. Coco was back, holding two cans of soda. She handed one to Katie. “I brought you one anyway.”
“Thanks.” The can felt cool in her hand.
Her friend joined her and they both opened the soda cans. The cracking sound seemed to echo in the confines of the car.
“Worried about the reunion?” Coco said before she took the first swallow of her drink.
“A little.” A lot, actually, but admitting that didn’t come easily. “You?”
Coco shifted in her seat. “Not at all.”
Katie snorted her drink. “You never could get away with a lie. Your body language gives you away, hon.”
“Okay, I’m a little nervous, but no more than you or anyone else.”
“Yeah, right.”
Coco grinned. “I haven’t kept in touch with a lot of people.”
“Me neither.” Between working two jobs, attending night classes, and finally obtaining her degree, there’d been little time for socializing. Other than Coco and one or two others, Katie hadn’t made a lot of friends from their graduating class. She’d started Cedar Cove High School in October of her senior year. If it wasn’t for swim team she probably wouldn’t have connected with Coco, either. Their friendship had been key for her. If not for Coco, any connection Katie had with her classmates might have completely dissolved. Thankfully, almost from the first day Katie arrived at the school, shy, withdrawn, and feeling out of place, Coco had taken her under her wing.
They sat side by side for several moments without speaking, each caught up in her own thoughts.
“Can I ask you something?” Katie asked softly.
Coco shrugged. “Anything.” Then she hesitated. “Let me revise that. Except if I don’t know the answer, find it embarrassing, or just plain don’t feel it’s any of your business.”
“Tell me how you really feel,” Katie said, not bothering to disguise her amusement.
“Okay, fine, what’s your question?”
Katie set the soda can aside. “Have you ever had a hard time forgiving someone?”
Right away Coco bristled, and Katie realized it was a loaded question and one she should never have asked her friend.
“What makes you ask?” Coco wanted to know.
Katie exhaled hard enough for her shoulders to lift as she expelled her breath. “I’m trying to look at this meeting with James the way a wronged party would.”
“Have
you
ever had to forgive someone?” Coco demanded.
“Of course.” She couldn’t have
“Promise you won’t even think of backing out.”
“Promise.”
Coco got out and headed upstairs. Katie stretched in her seat; the cool air was fresh and clean, and she breathed it in. It really was a lovely afternoon. The reunion committee couldn’t have asked for better weather for this get-together. It was as if they knew exactly which dates to book.
This weekend had the potential to be life-changing, as uncomfortable and awkward as it was. She could hardly believe that the last time she’d seen James was the summer after their graduation.
In all her life no one had ever loved Katie as much as James Harper had. He’d been willing to sacrifice everything for her. As much as she had loved him in return, Katie couldn’t allow that. If he’d given up college for her, it would have forever tainted their relationship. Closing her eyes, she leaned her head back and forced herself to think positive thoughts.
Because she wanted it so badly, she pictured seeing James at the reunion and his reaction once he saw her. She couldn’t help wondering if he’d changed. She had. Not physically so much—the years had matured her, shaped her, and she assumed they had him as well. She wondered if he knew she’d gone into social work, helping young teens. He’d been the one to suggest she’d be good in that line of work. Was it possible that he remembered saying that to her all those years ago? She hoped he did.
The car door opened, momentarily startling Katie. Coco was back, holding two cans of soda. She handed one to Katie. “I brought you one anyway.”
“Thanks.” The can felt cool in her hand.
Her friend joined her and they both opened the soda cans. The cracking sound seemed to echo in the confines of the car.
“Worried about the reunion?” Coco said before she took the first swallow of her drink.
“A little.” A lot, actually, but admitting that didn’t come easily. “You?”
Coco shifted in her seat. “Not at all.”
Katie snorted her drink. “You never could get away with a lie. Your body language gives you away, hon.”
“Okay, I’m a little nervous, but no more than you or anyone else.”
“Yeah, right.”
Coco grinned. “I haven’t kept in touch with a lot of people.”
“Me neither.” Between working two jobs, attending night classes, and finally obtaining her degree, there’d been little time for socializing. Other than Coco and one or two others, Katie hadn’t made a lot of friends from their graduating class. She’d started Cedar Cove High School in October of her senior year. If it wasn’t for swim team she probably wouldn’t have connected with Coco, either. Their friendship had been key for her. If not for Coco, any connection Katie had with her classmates might have completely dissolved. Thankfully, almost from the first day Katie arrived at the school, shy, withdrawn, and feeling out of place, Coco had taken her under her wing.
They sat side by side for several moments without speaking, each caught up in her own thoughts.
“Can I ask you something?” Katie asked softly.
Coco shrugged. “Anything.” Then she hesitated. “Let me revise that. Except if I don’t know the answer, find it embarrassing, or just plain don’t feel it’s any of your business.”
“Tell me how you really feel,” Katie said, not bothering to disguise her amusement.
“Okay, fine, what’s your question?”
Katie set the soda can aside. “Have you ever had a hard time forgiving someone?”
Right away Coco bristled, and Katie realized it was a loaded question and one she should never have asked her friend.
“What makes you ask?” Coco wanted to know.
Katie exhaled hard enough for her shoulders to lift as she expelled her breath. “I’m trying to look at this meeting with James the way a wronged party would.”
“Have
you
ever had to forgive someone?” Coco demanded.
“Of course.” She couldn’t have